Nikola Jokić Praises Cooper Flagg After Rookie’s Big Game in Mavs’ Win Over Nuggets
DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg delivered the biggest performance of his young career Tuesday night, posting 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a narrow win over the Denver Nuggets. The near–triple‑double not only powered the Mavs to a statement victory, but also earned high praise from reigning MVP Nikola Jokić.
Flagg, who has quickly become one of the league’s most composed first‑year players, attacked Denver’s defense from the opening tip. He scored at all three levels, facilitated late‑game possessions with veteran poise, and defended multiple positions during a tense fourth quarter. His 33‑point breakout marked his most complete performance to date.
After the game, Jokić didn’t hesitate to acknowledge the rookie’s impact.
“He’s already really good,” Jokić said. “You can see how smart he is, how patient he is. He doesn’t rush. That’s rare for a young player. Dallas has a special one.”
The Nuggets struggled to contain Flagg’s blend of size, pace and decision‑making, particularly in the second half when he repeatedly created mismatches and found teammates for open looks. His nine assists tied a season high, and his nine rebounds helped Dallas control key stretches of the game despite Denver’s size advantage.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd echoed Jokić’s assessment, noting that Flagg’s maturity continues to exceed expectations.
“He’s not afraid of the moment,” Kidd said. “He wants the ball, he wants responsibility, and he keeps earning it.”
The win pushes Dallas further up the Western Conference standings and adds another layer to Flagg’s rapidly growing Rookie of the Year campaign. For the Nuggets, the loss highlighted defensive lapses but also underscored Jokić’s respect for emerging talent around the league.
As for Flagg, he downplayed the praise but acknowledged the significance of hearing it from one of the NBA’s best.
“Coming from Jokić, that means a lot,” Flagg said. “But I’m just trying to help us win games.”
